Imagine yourself walking down a street at dusk. The illuminated storefronts cast a warm glow on the sidewalk. Cyclists weave gently between a few late-evening strollers. A group of teenagers laughs around a picnic table in a small adjacent park. An elderly woman walks her dog with complete ease and confidence.
This ordinary scene, however, conceals extraordinary urban design work. Each element—the lighting, the coexistence of different modes of mobility, the visibility of spaces, the mixed uses—contributes to creating this sense of security that allows you to fully enjoy your city.
Urban design is no longer just about aesthetics or functionality; it plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of city dwellers. But as cities grow denser and more diverse, the definition of safety has evolved. It is now more complex, and extends far beyond the interaction of pedestrians and traffic to a variety of angles including inclusivity, crime prevention, disaster resilience, and psychological safety. Designers have a unique opportunity to use safety as a lens through which they can foster greater inclusivity, resiliency, and functionality in urban environments.
Redefining city safety
Traditionally, safety in urban environments has been focused on managing traffic and protecting pedestrians—ensuring that crosswalks, traffic signals, and sidewalks minimize accidents. But time has shown safety must be understood in more nuanced terms, involving not only physical but also psychological and cultural dimensions.
Physical safety encompasses tangible aspects, such as building codes that prevent physical harm and ensure structural integrity, as well as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) which includes proper lighting, clear sightlines, and the creation of active public spaces to discourage crime.
The perception of safety is equally important. Urban design contributes by creating welcoming and inclusive places that reflect a genuine sense of community. Creating spaces where people want to spend time is essential—it’s not just about functionality, but appeal. Mixed-use neighborhoods (residential, commercial, offices) allow continuous occupation throughout the day, creating activity that enhances security. Similarly, combining different housing types (social, affordable, rental, student, senior residences) encourages population diversity and fosters a more cohesive social fabric.
Active public spaces, dynamic commercial hubs, and preserved cultural heritage all foster a sense of belonging that reinforces both perceived and actual safety. Conversely, large empty plazas can feel threatening if they aren’t animated or bordered by activities.
Expanding our perspectives on urban safety
As cities grow, safety becomes more complex. The following key areas can help to address modern urban design to ensure space is inclusive, functional, and adaptable to diverse needs:
- Inclusivity: Safety varies depending on gender, ability, and identity. Inclusive design ensures that everyone feels secure, recognizing that different groups experience urban spaces in unique ways. Designing with multiple lenses in mind—from gender and security to mobility and disaster preparedness—is critical to creating environments that are welcoming and safe for all. For example, emphasizing open façades, particularly at street level, creates a dynamic interface between streets and buildings while improving visibility. Such measures enhance the sense of security, especially for women and underrepresented groups.
- Shared spaces & slower movement: In dense urban environments, there isn’t always enough room to fully segregate different users—pedestrians, cyclists, cargo bikes, scooters, and cars. Slower speed limits and shared space models help foster mutual awareness among users. However, these solutions can pose challenges for people with disabilities, particularly the visually impaired, who may find shared spaces harder to navigate safely. The key is to balance inclusivity with the practicalities of space.
- Balancing open spaces and safety: Parks and green spaces are essential for urban life but must be designed with safety in mind. While green spaces can improve mental health, they can also raise security concerns. Incorporating well-lit paths, community hubs, and active design features ensures that these spaces remain accessible and safe, especially at night. There’s also a need to address safety from a climate resilience perspective by creating more sponge parks in cities that can manage stormwater.
- Mobility & carbon neutrality: Mobility is essential in creating safe and sustainable urban spaces, and a shift toward carbon-neutral neighborhoods where walking is the primary mode of transportation can help. Provided that traditional safety standards such as fire and emergency access are maintained, we can work towards creating networks of paths that balance mobility, safety, and ecological sustainability.
- Coordination and accessibility: Planning simple, linear routes between homes, offices, shops, schools, daycares, and public transit helps reduce wasted time and improves quality of life. It’s equally important to ensure urban spaces are designed for people with reduced mobility, with aligned street furniture, durable surfaces without obstacles. This includes eliminating the numerous potholes common in major urban centers.
- Technological caution: While smart city technologies like AI and surveillance systems are often seen as tools for enhancing safety, we need to be cautious about their implementation. Over-reliance on technology can detract from design’s role in fostering natural safety. Rather than over-relying on visible technological interventions, effective urban design should inherently promote safety and well-being. This balanced approach might include technological tools like smart lighting or mobile applications that connect citizens to their neighborhood, providing timely information while maintaining the primacy of good design.
Urban safety is never a finished project, but rather an ongoing conversation between designers, communities, and environments. When these principles are well integrated, urban design transforms anonymous spaces into meaningful places, weaving a sense of belonging that represents the deepest form of urban security.
At its core, a truly safe city is not one that multiplies barriers and restrictions, but one that allows everyone to feel at home—in all their diversity of identities, abilities, and aspirations.
The next time you walk through your neighborhood, take a moment to observe these details that, together, create this subtle but essential feeling of security. Behind each one, you’ll find the discreet intervention of urban designers, working to make our cities more human, more inclusive, and truly safe for all.”
